Safe-deposit box.



H. W. PAPE.

SAFE DEPOSIT BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 26, 1912.

EVE-L 22 E5555. [2212-5272711- h K45 $1??? 2% f 1:

COLUMBIA PLANOGRMII C0.,\VASHINGTON. n.1,.

HARRY W. PAPE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

snrn-nnrosrr BOX.

LOSOAS'T.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14,1913.

Application filed April 26, 1912. Serial No. 693,317.

To all whom itmag concern: 7

Be it known that I, HARRY WV. PAPE, a citizen of the United States, andresiding at Cincinnati, Hamilton county, State of Ohio, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements Relating to Safe-Deposit Boxes; andI do declare the following to be a clear, full, and exact description ofthe invention, attention being called to the drawin which accompaniesthis application and forms a part thereof.

This invention relates to means for increasing the security ofindividual safe deposit boxes, such as are provided by bankinginstitutions and safety deposit banks and rented out by them toindividual users. Under usual conditions, as they generally exist, suchboxes are contained in a vault which is in charge of an attendant, whoadmits the patrons. Access to the individual boxes requires thesuccessive use of two keys, one in the hands of the vault attendant andthe other in the hands of the renter of the box. Neither can gaincomplete access without the presence of the other. The use of the boxrenters key which follows the use of the other key, completes the accessto the box. Recent occurrences have shown that in spite of allprecautions the possibility exists whereby a dishonest vault attendantmay obtain a duplicate of the box renters key, said key having been inpossession of the attendant before it passed into the hands of therenter. It has also been found that duplicates may be obtained after thekeys have been given out, inasmuch as renters frequently permitattendants to open then boxes for them, whereby the attendant gainstemporary possession of the key. There are other ways not necessary torelate in detail whereby unauthorized access may be gained as forinstance by co-action with a confederate who is also a box renter.

The object of my invention is to provide means entirely within thecontrol of the box renter, not received from the attendant and havingnever been in his possession, so that unauthorized access in the mannerbefore stated is rendered impossible.

In the following specification and partic ularly pointed out in theclaims at the end thereof, will be found a full description of myinvention, together with its manner of use, parts and construction,which latter is also illustrated in the accompanying drawng, 1n wh1ch:f

Figure 1, shows in front view a portion of a vault-section with a numberof safe-deposit boxes. Fig. 2, is part of a horizontal sectionctaken ona line between top and bottom of a row of boxes.

In the drawing, A indicates the doors hingedly secured and controllingaccess to recesses or boxes which contain receptacles B, serving toreceive the matter deposited.

The manipulation of the door is controlled by a look (not shown) ofwhich a is the keyhole. The successive use of two keys is required onthis lock to unlock a door. One of these keys is in the hands of the manin charge of the vault and used by him. The use of the other in thehands of the renter completes the opening of the door and gives himaccess to the box so as to permit withdrawal of receptacle B, as shownin Fig. 1. How this latter key or a duplicate thereof may be used inimproper manner has been set forth. I propose to counteract the efiectsof such action by providing means whereby, even if a door has beensuccessfully opened, the withdrawal of receptacle B is neverthelessprevented. These means are in the nature of an obstruction, the removalof which requires a certain length of time but which is more than isavailable to the vault attendant whose presence in a vault by himself,or beyond a reasonable time, would be apt to excite suspicion. Apreferable way in which to provide this obstruction is in form of apad-lock C, which the box renter may purchase himself anywhere, thusprecluding the possibility whereby the vault attendant may place himselfin possession of a previously made duplicate key. It is presumed ofcourse that provision is made to permit connection of said pad-lockwhich may be a usual staple, or by preference an equivalent lug D whichis immovably secured and provided with a perforation adapted to receivethe bail of the pad-lock. If this lug projects into the space occupiedby the receptacle B, it becomes necessary to shape this latteraccordingly so as to clear the same. Observe formation of box as shownat b in Fig. 1.

It is of course understood that no burglarproof security is necessary,merely sufficient of a barrier, the removal of which, considering thechances available, would retard and hinder access to the receptacle toan extent which discourages the attempt.

Having described my invention, ll claim as new:

1. In combination, a safe-deposit-box, a door for the same, a removablereceptacle fitted to the box, a pad-lock adapted to oc cnpy a positionin which iteXtends over the front of the receptacle and a project-ionprovided in the box to which the pad-lock may be attached.

2. In combination, a sate-depositbox, a door for the same, a lugprovided in the box Copies of this patent may be obtained for back ofthe door, a receptacle closely fitted to this box and shaped to clearthis lug and 15 a locking device adapted to be removably attached tothis lug and in a manner to project over the front of the receptacleafter the same is in place.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto ailix my 20 signature in the presenceof two Witnesses. HARRY W, PAPE.

lVitnesses C. SPENGEL, T. LE BEAU- five cents each, by addressing theCommissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

